The Little Red Hen by Jerry Pinkney

Pinkney, Jerry. The Little Red Hen. New York: The Penguin Group, 2006.

In this classic tale of helping others out, Pinkney does a terrific job of using animals to get a positive message across. Four animals, a dog, pig, rat, and goat are offered several chances to help out a hen who finds some seeds to make bread. When they all decline every time the hen must tend and harvest the seeds with just the help of her chicks. When the bread is finally done the animals jump right in to have a chance to share, but soon learn the hen will not share anything since they decided not help. Each animal is written in its color which really brings the words out and allows word recognition amongst younger children. The illustrations are done in earthy tones with some bright colors on each page like the red hen or yellow flowers. They are created in full page art that is eye catching and artistic. The story is fun with a good valuable lesson at the end that children will enjoy.

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Game by Yuyi Morales

Morales, Yuyi. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Game. San Francisco: Chronicle Books LLG, 2003.

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Game is a fun read for all ages. As Grandma Beetle is visited by Senor Calavera who beckons her to “come along,” she will keep telling him just a minute because there is something she needs to do. As she continues to do each chore that is linked from numbers one to ten, the skeleton just continues to wait. Morales use the numbers in both Spanish and English which is a great way to teach young readers how to spell in both ways, and simply adds to this wonderful book. Now, as she reaches number nine, there are nine children that show up for Grandma’s birthday party, but guess who is surprised to find out they are number ten. When Grandma Beetle is finally ready to go, she soon finds a note with a surprising ending that will have everyone smiling from ear to ear. The illustrations throughout the book are bright, full pages using colors like orange and pink that just grabs the eye. The skeleton, Senor Calavera, on each page is a treat alone to look at with his expressions and body language. This book is a true deserver of the Pura Belpre Award/Honor and I feel a must read for all ages.

Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney

Pinkney, Jerry. Noah's Ark. New York: SeaStar Books, 2002.

Jerry Pinkney, Caldecott Honor Book, Noah’s Ark is a story that interprets the Old Testament story of Noah’s Ark. Pinkney tells the story of how God approached Noah to build an Ark as he is going to flood the land, because he is not pleased with the people on earth. The illustrations done in an earthy tone with pencil and watercolor are full paged with much detail. Using the majority of earthy tones allows the occasional use of color, like the bright red apple, to stand out even more. The recreation of this story and the full page art will allow children to get a true understanding of the story’s message.

Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales by Neil Philip

Philip, Neil. Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales. New York: Clarion Books, 2003.


Illustrator – Jacqueline Mair

Neil Philip does an incredible job of picking out folktales and retelling them in simple versions that are about an average of five pages long. The stories are entertaining and fun to read that all will quite enjoy. This is a great book to read all at once or in sections. For example, a teacher or parent could pick one story a day or week to read out loud. The illustrations created by Jacqueline Mair are done in bright colors like red and orange, and each illustration gives a drawing of the person they are talking about. For example, the story called Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet about the prettiest girl whose feet were of a chicken. The illustration shows a couple dancing, but the girl actually has chicken feet. A red pepper can be found on almost every page which adds to the creativity of the book. The book has an interesting collection and ends with detailed notes of each story to give more of a background.

Bubba the Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale by Helen Ketteman

1. Bibliography
Ketteman, Helen. 1997. BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE: A FRACTURED TEXAS TALE. Ill. By James Warhola. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590255061

2. Plot Summary
Bubba, a Texas cowboy, is overworked and unappreciated by his wicked stepdaddy and his two despicable brothers. Miz Lurleen, a well off ranch owner, decides to host a party to find the perfect male companion to help work the place. Bubba’s wicked family does not allow Bubba to go to this party, but a fairy godcow helps Bubba attend, and Miz Lurleen falls directly for him. At midnight, Bubba leaves the ball in a dash, slipping out of his boot before exiting. Mis Lurleen is able to find Bubba by fitting the boot on his foot, and the story ends happily as they ride off to a life of ranching together.

3. Critical Analysis
The story features a Cinderella theme in a Texas style setting that will have readers intrigued. The outcome of the story is predictable, but the humorous way the story is written brings an immense joy to the book. Ketteman does a good job of recreating this Cinderella idea to fit perfectly to the western lifestyle.

The illustrations by James Warhola bring great quality to the book, and the pictures offer detail throughout that is eye catching to the reader. The features given to the characters fit perfectly with the personalities portrayed in the story and are quite comical. With each page the reader can enjoy the vibrant colors that add to the silly, but pleasurable illustrations. The combination of the story and the illustrations make BUBBA, A TEXAS COWBOY a book to remember.

4. Review Excerpts
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “The premise isn't original, but the execution and artwork certainly are.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “There are no surprises in this version except in the hilarious way the premise plays itself out and in Warhol’s delightful visual surprises.

5. Connections
*Other Versions of Cinderella
Lowell, Susan. CINDY ELLEN: A WILD WESTERN CINDERELLA. ISBN 0064438643
Jackson, Ellen B. CINDER EDNA. ISBN 0688162959
Cole, Babette. PRINCE CINDERS. ISBN 0698115546
*Read several versions of Cinderella to students. Have students write a version of their own Cinderella.

The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie DePaola

1. Bibliography
DePaola, Tomie. 1983. THE LEGEND OF THE BLUEBONNET: AN OLD TALE OF TEXAS. New York: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0698113594

2. Plot Summary
In this delightful story by Tomie DePaola, he tells of a little girl who will help end the drought that her Indian tribe is suffering through. The drought is brought on by selfish acts, and to restore there life an offering must be made. She-Who-Is-Alone will sacrifice her dearest possession of a warrior doll to assist her tribe. Falling asleep on the hill, she wakes to the beauty of green grass and blue flowers known as the bluebonnet to Texas. As the tribe celebrates, the rain returns, and the little girl is praised for mighty sacrifice.

3. Critical Analysis
Based on the Comanche Indian legend, Tomie DePaola gives an appealing version of the creation of bluebonnets. He tells of a little girl who will surrender her warrior doll to a burnt offering, because her tribe has been committing selfish acts against Earth, and he portrays how a simple gesture can mean so much. The writing is done in a straightforward, but fulfilling way that just grabs the reader.

The illustrations created by DePaola add a sense of spirit to every page. This allowing the story to come alive and giving the reader a chance to become fond of the little girl. The illustrations add beauty to the book and the words itself, and this book is one to enjoy at any age.

4. Review Excerpt(s)
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “Tomie DePaola provides a charming retelling of the Native American legend about the origin of Texas' state flower, the bluebonnet.”
BOOKLIST: “The simplicity and beauty of the story echoes in DePaola’s effectively composed illustrations…An ideal complement to native American and Texas studies.”

5. Connections
*Other books written by Tomie DePaola
THE LEGEND OF THE INDIAN PAINTBRUSH. ISBN 0698113608
THE LEGEND OF THE POINSETTIA. ISBN 0698115678
*Other books similar to THE LEGEND OF THE BLUEBONNET.
HOW THE STARS FELL INTO THE SKY: A NAVAJO LEGEND. ISBN 0395779383
THE GIFT OF THE SACRED DOG. ISBN 0020432801
ARROW TO THE SUN: A PUEBLO INDIAN TALE. ISBN 0140502114

More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz

1. Bibliography
Schwartz, Alvin. 1984. MORE SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK. Ill. By Stephen Gammell. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0939732087

2. Plot Summary
Stories from being buried alive to a ghoulish song are included in the enjoyable sequel from Alvin Schwartz. With the added addition of Stephen Gammell’s spine-chilling drawings to go along with the eerie stories, this book is a perfect read for those wanting to enjoy a thrilling book.

3. Critical Analysis
If the reader is someone who enjoys a good set of spooky stories, this it the book for you, and Schwartz does an incredible job with this sequel of stories. From chilling to funny the reader has a variety of stories to choose from to give someone the satisfaction of being scared or just grossed out.

To go along with these gruesome stories is illustrations by Stephen Gammell that fit the stories perfectly. If the stories alone do not give you a thrill, the pictures will definitely help the reader get a vivid image in their head. The book is the perfect combination of stories and illustrations if the reader is up for the thrill.

4. Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: "Guaranteed to make your teeth chatter and your spinetingle."
Horn Book: “Brief, bloodcurdling tales of ghosts, murders, graveyards, and other horrors, greatly enhanced by the ghoulish illustrations.”

5. Connections
*Other scary stories written by Alvin Schwartz
SCARY STORIES TO TELL. ISBN 0397319703
SCARY STORIES 3: MORE TALES TO CHILL YOUR BONES. ISBN 0064404188
IN A DARK, DARK ROOM AND OTHER SCARY STORIES. ISBN 0064440907
*Alvin Schwartz would make a good book study during the month of October. Students and teachers have a wide selection of books by Schwartz to choose from and discuss.